Spark plug ignition terminal



March 1, 1933- F. G. SHOEMAKER 1,902,382

SPARK PLUG IGNITION TERMINAL Filed March 2, 1928 [(v VENTOZ? Fred 6 7971 Shoemaker Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNI-TEDSTATES FRED e. SHOEMAKER, or SYRACUSE, NEW Yon];

l SPARK PLU G IGNITION TERMINAL 7 Application'filed. March 2, 1928. Serial No. 258,517.

This invention relates to'spark plugs for internal combustion engines, but more particularly tothe cable terminal connections therefor. i j

The invention has for'its object to provide a-locking device to lock the high tension cable terminal securely to but removably from-the spark plug terminal, to the end that the cable terminal, while being readily removable from the spark-plug' terminal, will not be casually displaced nor disconnected therefrom by' vibration or ac cidental cause, and which cannot in any event be removed or disconnected from the terminal onthe spark-plug by longitudinal pull or strain on the ignition cable. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a positive lock'for the purpose recited, which does not restrict the flexibility of the cable connection in any manner with respect to the spark-plug, and which embodies the essential features of lightness, cheapness, simplicity, safety and efiici ency.

With these objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction of the terminal and lock, and in certain combinations of parts, all of which will be first fully described and afterwards specifically pointed out inthe'appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1n 'Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the type of terminal employed in connection with my improved locking device;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the locking device before its attachment to the terminal;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the assembled terminal and locking device; and

Figure 6 is aside elevation of the same.

Like numerals of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several figures,

in which 1 indicates a spark-plug-cable terminal of conventional form, the same including the usual socket member 2 which receives the high tension cable (not shown), and. the

5 forked terminal member 3. The fingers 4 of this forked member areprovided with v slightly flared ends 5 and concaved bosses 6, the concavities of said-bosses being complemented' and opposed as shown in Figure 1. r v v In each of the fingers 4 of the forked member 3 and in longitudinal plane with the center of the concaved bosses 6, Iprovide a hole or perforation 7.7

8 indicates the locking device which, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is constructed of wire, preferably music or other spring wire. Both ends of the locking device 8 terminate in opposed trunnions 9, and the body thereof incorporates two opposed coiled formations 10 intermediate the saidtrunnionsvt) and the transverse'central portion 11, which transverse central portion 11 is of greater 7 length than the width of that portion of f the structure immediately adjacent the said trunnions 9. The effect of this construction r i is to impart to the two intermediate coiled formations 10 a considerable spring resil ience within the limits defined by the full and dotted lines in Figure 3.

n assembling the device, the trunnions 9 in Figure 6, and the forked terminal member 3 is forced on to; the spherical spark-plug terminal, which operation causes the-two fingers 4 of said forked terminal to. straddie the saidspherical spark-plug terminal,

and to receive the latter within the opposed concaved bosses 61 ,When in this position, the locklng member 8 is swung down into positionv shown in full lines 1n Figure 6,

wvhich operation disposes the central transverse portion 11 of the locking member directly across theopening between'the'ends 5 of the forked terminalmember, and closing said opening as shown in Figure 5. l The locking member 8 in assuming this position, carries its opposed coiled formations over the extending bosses 6 of the fingers 4, said coiled formations springing outwardly into position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, in passing over said bosses, and again assuming their normal form when the locking member 8 has reached its operative locking position shown in Figure 6, in which position each of the opposed bosses 6 is confined within the substantially circular space defined by the said opposed coiled formations 10.

This coaction between the locking member 8 and the terminal member 3, eiiiciently retains the said locking member in its effective locking position, and insures the efficient retention of the forked terminal 3 upon the spherical spark-plug terminal, to the end that the formerjcannot vbe casually nor accidentally displaced or removed therefrom, nor in fact intentionally disconnected until the said locking member 8 is again swung up into position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6.

Having thus fully described the invention, I do not wish to be understood as, limiting myself to the exact construction shown and described, but I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications as fall within the limit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In combination with a forked ignitioncable-terminal having two opposed projecting bosses and a pair of perforations in the fingers of saidcforked terminal, a locking member including opposed trunnions to enter the said perforations in the forked terminal, a central transverse portion adapted to close the opening at the end of the forked terminal, and opposed coiled formations intermediate the said trunnions and the said central tranverse portion, the said opposed coiled formations being adapted to engage the said opposed projecting bosses and to confine said opposed projecting bosses within the space defined by said opposed coiled formations.

2. In combination with a forked'ignitioncable-terminal having two opposed projecting bosses and a pair of perforations in the fingers of the said forked terminal, a locking member including opposed trunnions to enter the said perforations in the forked terminal, acentral transverse portion adapted to close the opening at the end of the forked terminal, and also including opposed portions intermediate the said central transverse portion and the said trunnions for engagement with the said opposed projecting bosses to retainthe said locking member in effective operative position.

' i 3. In combination'with a forked ignition cable-terminal, a locking member including means for effecting pivotal connection with the said terminal, a central transverse portion adapted to close the end of the said forked terminal, and also including means for additional engagement with the said forked terminal to retain the said locking member in effective operative position.

l. The combination with a terminal connector for an electrical cable, said connector having a pair of yieldable jaws to receive a complementalmember, of a locking member pivotally connected to be angularlymovable on said connector and adapted to lock said connector to said complemental member;

5. In combination with a cable provided with a forked terminal adapted to receive a complementalmember of a U-shaped locking member having its legs pivotally-con nected to the legs of said forked terminal and movable relative thereto, so that its central transverse portionwill gap the forks of said terminal.- Y

6. In combination with a cable provided with a snap fastener adapted to receive a complemental member of a locking member pivotally connected to, and angularly movable on, the terminal of said cable to lock said snap fastener to said complementalmember. w

7. An electric terminal connector comprising a'pair of clamping jaws spaced from each other at one of their extremities, a

metal bail pivoted to said jaws: to engage their outer faces, said jaws being provided with recesses located at points between the pivot connectlons of the bail and the aforementioned extremities for engagement with aterminal, a portion of the bailbeing? adapted to be moved into engagement with the outer faces-0f said jaws adjacent said recesses, and cooperating means on said jaws and bail for yieldably securing said bail in predetermined position on said jaws.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRED G. SHOEMAKER. 

